Scene III. San Clemente, in California.

[Enter Ziegler and Rosemary Woods.]
Ziegler. Just cast your eye upon this, Rosemary.
Rosemary. An article calling for the President
to resign. Malicious propaganda.
What of it?
Ziegler. ‘Tis the editorial position 5
of the Omaha World-Herald. Since the
very beginning, one of the finest
Republican papers, it has supported
dear Richard. But now, I cannot bear it.
Offensive reading. Resign for lack of 10
moral indignation, lack of any
ability to handle the situation.
Resign, not because of anything he
did, but because of the way other things
happened. What malicious rot! Oh, why has 15
this long and faithful paper so suddenly
been subverted?
Rosemary. ‘Tis only a minor circular, Ronald,
with hardly a jot of influence. Why worry?
Ziegler. But the stronghold of all conservative 20
Politics rests its weary head on the
bosom of the American heartland.
The heartland turns on the man, and says he
should quit. Not just tiny Omaha, but
Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, Boston. 25
All the centers of the President’s great
popular appeal. Their papers, long
Republican bastions, now defect.
Send them a note, Rosemary. Tell them they’re wrong.
The President will never resign. 30
These reasons are too wishy-washy. And
Richard is no wishy-washy man.
Rosemary. But if all these supporters have defected
to join the enemy’s bandwagon,
what are we to do? 35
Ziegler. Oh, an excellent question. And we’ve
an excellent answer. The President
shall go forth with an Operation
of Candor and give numerous speeches
at carefully selected occasions 40
and sites. He will face his critics and his
popularity will soon rise. We are
in but a brief valley, where, as sure as
the sun shall set each day, we will rise
above this valley and once more set atop 45
the great avalanche of public confidence.
Rosemary. I hope so!
[Exit Rosemary Woods.]
[Enter Richard and Secret Service Agents.]
Richard. Feels good, this California sun.
Much relief from our winter of snowy discontent,
which plagues Washington. ‘Tis a stuffy place. 50
I never did like it much. ‘Tis too full of
nasty people who do nasty things.
Ah, California’s the place. A place to think
and dream and believe. If only Washington
were not so dreary and dismal. 55
There’s a mood there, a sarcastic feeling,
disbelief, almost, that anything is good.
‘Tis too morbid. A rotting, stinking sickness
that strangles incentive and creativeness.
A bog, a sucking mire that slows the functions 60
of man and government. A disease of
nausea and irregularity, destroying
a quality of life that ought to call
each other “Brother,” and bring many
smiles to grim and somber faces. Such is 65
the mood that plagues my Capital, and
plagues the soul of my Government.
Hello, Ron, what news do you bring?
Ziegler. Oh, nothing important, just some Congressional action.
Richard. You look depressed, what’s the matter? 70
Ziegler. Oh, nothing.
Richard. Come on, Ron, what is it?
Ziegler. Oh, it seems all so hopeless.
Richard. It seemed hopeless in ’62, remember?
Ziegler. But that was just for Governor. And we 75
lost fair and square. But this is different.
Richard. Ah, cheer up. We’re back on the track.
Operation Candor. The best defense is a good offense.
Ziegler. Oh, don’t be so trite. You know we’re in trouble.
They voted 400 some to 5 to have the 80
Judiciary Committee look into
your impeachment. It was a mistake.
Richard. Definitely. They’ve no grounds for impeachment.
Ziegler. No, I mean the releasing of the tapes.
‘Twas a mistake. It back-lashed on us. Instead 85
of support, the powerful and influential
decry a lack of moral leadership.
Fools. They don’t see facts. They see intangibles,
which can’t be assessed in a court of law.
Richard. But impeachment is a judicial process, Ron. 90
Fair minded men will look at all the evidence
and say, “No way.” And we’ll be vindicated.
Have faith!
Ziegler. I suppose so.
[Exeunt.]